Radiator surge tank



Feb. 29, 1944. J. w. Ham-w 2 ,343,145

RADIATOR SURGE TANK Filed May 12, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I A 4 n: g v aINVENTOR. BY Jo'xw Wis-14 57 AITORNEYS.

Feb. 29, 1944.

J. W. HEINEY RADIATOR SURGE TANK 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 12, 1942ATTORNEYS.

Feb. 29, 1944. J. w. HEINEY RADIATOR SURGE TANK Filed May 12, 194a 3Sheets-Sheet 3 1 Z n q M Patented Feb. 29, 1944 RADIATOR SURGE TANK JohnW. Heiney, Allentown, Pa., assignor to Mack Manufacturing Corporation,Long Island City, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application May12,1942, Serial No. 442,664

1 Claim. :(Cl. 257-127) The present invention relates to liquid coolingsystems for motor vehicle engines and embodies,

more specifically, an improved form of radiator mechanism and liquidcooling system by means of which loss of cooling liquid is avoidedduring operation of the system.

The invention relates, more especially, to cooling systems of the abovecharacter wherein means is provided for equalizing the pressure in thecooling liquid throughout the cooling system without loss of coolingliquid from the system.

In the operation of interna1 combustion engines which are cooled byliquid cooling systems, and which engines are used on vehicles, theliquid in the cooling system is frequently caused to surge, with aconsequent loss of the cooling liquid. Inspection of th liquid duringinitial operation and excessive aeration thereofalso causes loss of thisfluid. Under certain conditions of operation it will be readily apparentthat this loss of cooling liquid may become disadvantageous and evenvery serious.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a liquidcooling system for motor vehicles wherein means is provided to preventthe loss of cooling liquid during the operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cooling system of theabove character wherein means is provided for equalizing the pressurethroughout the cooling system without causing attending loss of thecooling liquid.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cooling system of theabove character wherein means is provided to prevent excessive spillagethatordinarily arises from sudden surging of the liquid within thesystem and wherein any liquid that tends to surge is returned to theintake side of the liquid pump that circulates the liquid in the system.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of the abovecharacter wherein, without materially increasing the size of the coolingsystem, ample provision is made for the expansion of the liquid duringoperation and facility provided for de-aeration of such liquid.

The foregoing objects are attained, according to the present invention,by providing a surge tank structure by means of which the tendency ofthe cooling liquid to surge is substantially retarded and the surgeliquid returned to the intake side of the liquid pump. The inventionwill be understood more fully in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a view in elevation, partly broken away andin section, showing a radiator structure in accordance with the presentinvention;'

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the radiator shown in Fig. 1, also partlybroken away and in section;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a modified form of theinvention;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the device shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view in side elevation showing the present invention mountedupon an internal combustion engine; and I V Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailview showing one form'of spring loaded pressure cap.

Referring to the form of the invention shown in Fig. 1, a radiator, suchas a motor vehicle radiator, is illustrated at ID as being provided withthe usual intake pipe H and suitable heat radiating elements, such astubes and fins, which are not shown and will be readily understood asbeing constructed in accordance with well-known practice. The outlet ofthe radiator is illustrated at I2 and is connected with a pump l3 whichserves to circulate the cooling liquid through the cooling system inorder that it may be returned to the inlet l l of the radiator.

The radiator I0 is provided with an upper tank l4 which, in accordancewith the present invention, is provided with a plate l5 secured acrossthe upper portion thereof and formed with a plurality of apertures IS,the size and number of which may be varied to produce the desiredresult. The plate l5 thus forms a surge tank ii in the upper portion ofthe tank M. A radiator filler spout ll communicates with the tank 14below the plate l5 by means of an aperture l8 and is provided with aliquid-tight cap l9. An outlet is shown at 2B and is formed with aspring load pressure cap 2i which serves to vent air when pressure isbuilt up to a predetermined value, as well as to vent water in extremecases of surging. The outlet 20 connects with a vent pipe 22 which is ofusual structure. Fig. 5 illustrates the manner in which the foregoingmechanism may be utiliz..d with an internal combustion engine and thecooling system thereof, while Fig. 6 illustrates a suggested form ofspring loaded pressure cap. It will be seen that the outlet 20 ismaintained in a seated position by means of a spring 20' and that, whenthe pressure within the radiator becomes sufilciently great, the outlet20 will be raised against the action of the spring 20, and the fluidwill escape into the pipe 22.

Above the apertured plate I5 a return pipe 23 is connected, the returnpipe being connected at 24 to the intake side of the pump I3.

In operation, the liquid system is first filled to a point just belowthe baflie plate IS. The expansion of the liquid caused by the normalheat in operation causes the cooling liquid to fiow into the surge tankII and to a level normally slightly above the overflow return pipe 23.This surge liquid is thus returned by pipe 23 to the pump and is notlost from the cooling system. Air from the cooling liquid escapesthrough the pressure valve 2| and vent pipe 22, this escape valve alsoserving as a relief valve in case of excessive pressure within thesystem.

Referring to the modified form of the invention shown in Figs. 3 and 4,the invention is shown as being embodied in a cooling system generallysimilar to that referred to in connection with the description of Figs.1 and 2. However, the radiator tank I4 is provided with a liquidtightfiller spout and cap 25 which is connected, by means of a tube 28, to asurge tank 21 that is preferably mounted directly upon the tank 14. Apressure relief valve and cap mechanism 28 is provided, similar inconstruction to the elements 20 and 2| of the form of the inventionshown in Figs. 1 and 2. A vent pipe 29 thus serves to vent air or excessliquid under the coninto the surge tank 21 drainsback to theiin' underpressure may escape through the pressure cap or valve 28 and vent 28, aspreviously described.

It will thus be seen that the present invention serves to provide aneffective baiiie to prevent excessive loss or spillage due to suddensurging or expansion of the cooling liquid in the-coolaccompanyingdrawings, it is not to be limited take side of the pump I; through pipe30 and save as defined in the appended claim.

I claim:

In a liquid cooling system for motors embodying a radiator tank and acirculating pump and connections to circulate water normally through thesystem, means for reducing loss of water from said system comprising asurge tank located in the upper portion of the radiator tank andseparated therefrom by an apertured member providing restrictedcommunication between the surge tank and the radiator tank, means forreturning water from the surge tank to said system, pressure responsivemeans communicating with the surge tank to permit the escape of air andliquid under pressure therefrom, and means for filling the radiator tankwith water including a tube extending downward below said aperturedmember whereby air is trapped in said surge tank above said member andprevented from escape by said pressure responsive means so that fillingof the surge tank with water is avoided.

JOHN W. HEINEY.

